Metabolizer profile CYP2D6

Cytochrome CYP2D6 is an enzyme of the hepatic cytochrome P450 family, whose main function is the metabolism of xenobiotics. This CYP is responsible for the metabolism of 25% of drugs, including tricyclic antidepressants, opioids or beta-blockers, among many others. Therefore, the presence of variants in this gene impacts the ability to metabolize multiple compounds.

CYP P450 is a superfamily of enzymes involved in enzymatic oxidation of steroids, fatty acids, xenobiotics and other biosynthetic pathways. These enzymes convert xenobiotics into water-soluble derivatives to facilitate their excretion. CYP2D6 is mainly found in the liver, but is also present in the central nervous system, including the substantia nigra.

CYP2D6 is involved in the metabolism of multiple widely used drugs such as antidepressants (amitriptyline, doxepin, imipramine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, mirtazapine etc.), opioids (codeine, tramadol, oxycodone, etc.), antipsychotics (haloperidol, risperidone, etc.), beta-blockers (metoprolol, propranolol, etc.) or tamoxifen, among many others.

In addition to the exogenous substances described above, CYP2D6 also plays an important role in the metabolism of endogenous substances such as tryptamines, a family of molecules involved in various brain functions.involved in various brain functions such as perception or cognition, neurosteroids and tyramine, which it uses as a substrate for the synthesis of dopamine, one of the most important neurotransmitters.

It is important to bear in mind that, independently of the effects on activity that the different genotypes may have, there are multiple compounds that can act as inhibitors or inducers and that significantly affect their function. This is important, above all, in polytherapy because it can condition the therapeutic effect and the presence of side effects of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.